FUJIFILM & NextCell Launch Platform to Standardize Stem Cell Research

SANTA ANA, CA & HUDDINGE, SWEDEN – May 06, 2026 – In a move poised to accelerate progress in regenerative medicine, FUJIFILM Biosciences and NextCell Pharma have announced the global launch of a new commercial platform designed to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in cell therapy research: variability. The collaboration introduces a bundled solution for scientists, combining NextCell's research-grade umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with FUJIFILM's specialized cell culture medium.

The offering pairs NextCell-Cord RUO, the first commercial product from the Swedish cell therapy specialist, with FUJIFILM's PRIME-XV MSC Expansion XSFM medium. By providing a standardized, pre-validated system, the two companies aim to empower researchers in immunology, regenerative medicine, and drug development with more consistent and reliable tools, potentially shortening the long road from laboratory discovery to clinical application.

Addressing the Bottleneck of Cellular Inconsistency

Mesenchymal stromal cells are the workhorses of a burgeoning regenerative medicine field, prized for their ability to differentiate into various tissue types and modulate the immune system. Their potential is being explored for a vast array of conditions, from autoimmune diseases to orthopedic injuries. However, the promise of MSCs has been consistently hampered by a fundamental challenge: heterogeneity.

MSCs derived from different donors, or even from different tissues of the same donor, can behave in wildly different ways. This inherent variability—influenced by factors like donor age, genetics, and the methods used for isolation and culture—creates a significant hurdle for researchers, making it difficult to reproduce experimental results and compare data across different studies. This lack of standardization slows down preclinical development and complicates the path to regulatory approval for new therapies.

The new platform directly confronts this issue. “Some of the challenges faced in MSC research are heterogeneity of MSCs, immunocompatibility, and inefficient manufacturing,” the companies noted in their announcement. The NextCell-Cord RUO product is designed to provide “a more consistent, efficient, and accessible source of cells.”

By bundling these cells with FUJIFILM's optimized, xeno-free medium, the platform offers an integrated system intended to minimize variability from the very start of an experiment. “We’ve worked with FUJIFILM Biosciences to ensure that this product meets the needs of researchers and drug developers who value consistency, scalability, and translational relevance,” said Dr. Lindsay Davies, chief scientific officer at NextCell Pharma AB.

A Strategic Synergy in a Multi-Billion Dollar Market

The partnership is more than a technical solution; it represents a calculated strategic move by both companies within the rapidly expanding life sciences market. The global mesenchymal stem cell market was valued at over $3 billion in 2023 and is projected to exceed $7 billion by 2030, driven by increasing R&D investment and the growing prevalence of chronic diseases.

For FUJIFILM Biosciences, this collaboration is another deliberate step in its remarkable transformation from a photographic film giant into a diversified healthcare powerhouse. Under its “VISION2030” plan, the company has invested billions to build a comprehensive life science portfolio spanning “prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.” This includes major acquisitions like FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc. (FCDI), a leader in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a major contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO).

The partnership with NextCell aligns perfectly with this strategy, strengthening its position as a “one-stop shop” for cell therapy developers. “Our strategic alliance with NextCell Pharma further strengthens our commitment to enabling our customers to achieve more with products and solutions they need every day to help create a healthier world for all,” stated Brandon Pence, president and chief operations officer at FUJIFILM Biosciences.

For NextCell Pharma, a clinical-stage company, the alliance provides a crucial pathway to global markets and a new revenue stream. While its primary focus is on advancing its lead clinical candidate, ProTrans, for type 1 diabetes, this commercial launch for research-use-only (RUO) cells allows it to monetize its proprietary MSC platform and manufacturing expertise.

“This product launch is a milestone for NextCell Pharma AB,” said Mathias Svahn, chief executive officer of NextCell Pharma AB. “It brings our proprietary MSC platform to a global audience, and we are proud to do so in close collaboration with FUJIFILM Biosciences, a trusted leader in life science solutions.”

From Clinical Insight to Research Tool

A unique strength of the new platform lies in the origin of its cellular component. The NextCell-Cord RUO cells are derived from the same proprietary technology platform that underpins ProTrans, NextCell’s clinical-grade MSC therapy currently in trials for type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune conditions. This provides a clear line of sight between the research tool and a potential therapeutic, a concept known as “translational relevance.”

NextCell's ProTrans platform utilizes a patented selection algorithm to identify the most potent umbilical cord-derived MSCs for modulating the immune system. By offering research-grade cells produced with the same clinical manufacturing expertise, the company provides scientists with a tool that is not only standardized but also scientifically robust and immediately relevant to drug development workflows. This could be particularly valuable for researchers whose ultimate goal is to translate their findings into a clinical setting.

The platform enters a competitive market for cell culture reagents, where giants like Thermo Fisher Scientific, Lonza, and Miltenyi Biotec offer extensive portfolios of MSCs and media. However, the integrated, pre-validated bundle of cells and media from a single source, leveraging FUJIFILM’s vast global distribution network, offers a distinct value proposition aimed at simplifying workflows and ensuring quality from the outset. The “Research Use Only” designation allows the product to be widely available to the scientific community for non-clinical studies without the extensive regulatory hurdles required for therapeutic products, thereby accelerating its adoption and impact on the field.